It’s gameday in Inglewood as the College Football National Championship game is set between TCU and Georgia. In this article, we will preview both teams and key players to watch for in tonight’s game, as well as predict the outcome.
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No. 3 TCU (13-1, defeated No. 2 Michigan, 51-45 in CFP Semifinal)
TCU went undefeated all year up until the Big 12 Championship game, where the Horned Frogs lost to running back Deuce Vaughn and the Kansas State Wildcats. Even though their undefeated season was no more, TCU still managed to make the College Football Playoff. They joined Oklahoma as the only teams from the Big 12 to make the College Football Playoff. They became the first and only team out of the conference to make it to the National Championship.
The Horned Frogs are led by quarterback Max Duggan, who wasn’t even the intended starter at the beginning of this season, with Chandler Morris beginning the season as QB1. Morris injured his knee in the season opener, and Duggan came in, and has started in every game since. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and won the Davey O’Brien and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards, and was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-American, and a first-team All-Big 12 player. He’s passed for 3546 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. He also is a threat on the ground, with eight rushing touchdowns this season.
Running back Kendre Miller was named a first-team All-Big 12 player but does not look to have much of an impact on this game due to an injury. He’s “50-50” to play in tonight’s title game. He’s been phenomenal, with nearly 1400 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
Head coach Sonny Dykes is in his first season at TCU after a successful tenure at rival school SMU. He swept all the Coach of the Year awards after a phenomenal season in Fort Worth.
TCU is home to the best defensive back in college football: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. The Jim Thorpe Award recipient had 38 solo tackles, one forced fumble, three interceptions, and 14 pass deflections this season. Despite being only five-foot-nine, he’s one of the toughest players on TCU’s roster.
TCU started the season unranked and made the College Football Playoff, something only last year’s Michigan team can claim. Despite not playing in the SEC like Georgia, TCU’s strength of schedule is not a joke. They have faced Oklahoma, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State (twice), Texas, Baylor, Texas Tech, and most recently, Michigan. They have proven they are one of college football’s best teams.
They got here because of a strong defensive first half that had the Horned Frogs up 21-6 at halftime. Despite a shootout in the second half, TCU held on to upset Michigan, 51-45.
No. 1 Georgia (14-0, defeated No. 4 Ohio State, 42-41 in CFP Semifinal)
Georgia is on the search for back-to-back National Championships, something that has not been done since Alabama in 2011 and 2012. That was before the College Football Playoff format, so will Georgia become the first in the CFP era? The last time the Bulldogs lost was in last year’s SEC Championship game to Alabama.
The first player worth noting is Heisman finalist Stetson Bennett. His story is amazing, as he went from a walk-on to a championship-winning quarterback. Bennett passed for 3823 yards, 31 total touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
The Bulldogs were one of the best-rushing teams in the nation, with 39 rushing touchdowns this season, led by Kenny McIntosh with 10.
Georgia has Brock Bowers, one of the best tight ends in college football. He leads the Dawgs in receiving yards with 790 and six touchdowns.
Much like last year, this Georgia team is built on defense. They rank fifth in scoring defense, led by Lombardi Award finalist Jalen Carter, one of the best defensive linemen in the country. Jamon Dumas-Johnson was a finalist for the Butkus Award, which goes to the best linebacker in college football. Javon Bullard is a name to watch, as he was the Defensive MVP in the wild Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
Like last year, Georgia has one of the best offensive lines and was up for the Joe Moore Award.
Kirby Smart is a phenomenal head coach with lots of experience. He would become the first head coach since Nick Saban to win back-to-back national titles.
Georgia’s undefeated season was not a cakewalk. They went through Oregon, South Carolina, Missouri, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Kentucky, LSU, and, most recently, Ohio State. Their schedule was extremely tough, but Georgia made it look so easy.
Prediction: #3 TCU (13-1) vs. #1 Georgia (14-0) (-13)
Both teams are phenomenal, with lots of talent on both teams. TCU is an underdog, led by Max Duggan and head coach Sonny Dykes. I love a good underdog story in college football, so I’ll pull for them to win. With that being said, Georgia has the experience and the dominance to get to back-to-back National Championships. The series favors Georgia, with a 5-0 record. These two teams last played in the 2016 Liberty Bowl. Georgia will not have to wait another 41 years for their next title. Georgia wins tonight by ten.
Tune in to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Calhoun's Corner 